The business and pleasure of teeth: Dental tourism

In-vogue 21st century, the popular term globalization has definitely conjured a plethora of development, the economic surge, integrated corporate dental offices, and contemporary approaches to health-seeking behavior. Transnational medical travel, a heterogeneous phenomenon has gained attention recently as a strategy for patients to procure cost effective care of superior quality relative to that provided within their home countries. Dental tourism, a subset of medical tourism, involves individuals seeking dental care outside their local healthcare systems, coupled with a vacation. India, a country of continental proportions, has become a popular destination for foreign patients in recent times, particularly in dental care. India’s accessibility and availability of quality assured and cost-effective dental treatment, amalgamated with its myriad hues of culture and heritage, has exponentially fostered the bloom of India in “dental tourism.” Steep costs, lack of health insurance and dental benefits are key factors pushing low-income western world families to obtain cross-country dental care. Dental Tourism companies and corporate dental chains are increasingly advertising “all inclusive” travel packages that include dental procedures, hotel room reservations, side trips to tourist attractions, and airline tickets to lure international clients. The objective of this scientific communication was to explore and address the social, ethical, economic, and legal dimensions of dental tourism in India. With current governmental activities in full throttle, the tide of dental tourism definitely envisages to boost the economy of the Indian Republic manifold. The future is not near. It’s here

In vivo comparative evaluation of mineral trioxide aggregate and formocresol pulpotomy in primary molars: A 60-month follow-up study

Introduction: Pulpotomy is a regular procedure in the management of inflamed primary teeth. Diverse materials have been reviewed for the pulpotomy, some of them being formocresol, glutaraldehyde, ferric sulfate, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Aims: The aim was to evaluate and compare clinically and radiographically the effects of MTA as a pulp dressing after coronal pulp amputation (pulpotomy) in primary molars. Settings and Design: Sixty primary molars of thirty healthy children using split mouth design aged between 4 and 6 years were treated by pulpotomy technique. Subjects and Methods: Sixty primary mandibular molars of thirty healthy children aged between 4 and 6 years were treated by pulpotomy technique. The teeth on the right side were assigned to MTA (Group A) and the left side for the formocresol (Group B). The children were then examined clinically and radiographically every 6 months. Statistical analysis used: Chi-square test using the SPSS version 19.0 was used to compare between the two groups. Results: Results showed that both MTA and formocresol have the same outcome on the primary molars, with Chi-square value being 1.1483 (P ≥ 0.05). None of the teeth in any children in the study showed any clinical pathology. Conclusion: The principle conclusions of this study are that there are no significant differences in MTA and formocresol. The success rate of MTA and formocresol pulpotomy can be considered comparable till this therapy influences the development and growth of the permanent teeth

Knowledge, attitude, and practices of oral health care in prevention of early childhood caries among parents of children in Belagavi city: A Questionnaire study

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the existing knowledge, attitude, and practices of “oral health care” in the prevention of early childhood caries (ECCs) among parents of children in Belagavi city. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences, Belagavi, Karnataka. Institutional Ethical Clearance was obtained. The study was conducted during the month of April 2014 to October 2014 after taking prior informed consent from the 218 parents. Inclusion criteria were parents getting their children treated for dental caries and who were willing to participate. Parents who could not read and write were excluded from the study. The self-administered, close-ended questionnaire was written in English. It was then translated in local languages, i.e. Kannada and Marathi, and a pilot study was conducted on 10 parents to check for its feasibility and any changes if required were done. Results: The response rate was 100% as all 218 parents completed the questionnaire. Of 218 parents, 116 were mothers and 102 were fathers. The overall mean knowledge score was 69.5%. The overall mean attitude score was 53.5%. The overall attitude toward prevention of ECC was not in accordance to knowledge. The overall mean of “good” practices and “bad” practices score was 33.5% and 18.5%, respectively. Good knowledge and attitude toward oral health do not necessarily produce good practices

Effect of Music Distraction in Managing Anxious Paediatric Dental Patients- A Review

Dental anxiety is one of the most commonly encountered problems seen in the dental clinic. Anxiety begins at a very young age, if not addressed at that point; it will result in more drastic consequences. As a dental clinician, there are various methods of behaviour management; one of them is music therapy. Music has always been one of the most commonly used methods to relieve anxiety. A lilting melody from a mother calms down the child in a few minutes. So, this review was performed to know the effect of music distraction in management of anxious dental patients. Music therapy is one of the most efficient forms of non-invasive therapy as the equipment used are musical instrument headsets, audio player among others. Various studies have shown that audio distraction causes a noticeable reduction in the anxiety level of the patient. While it may not have reduced the amount of pain the patient undergoes, it has been recorded that the music therapy shows a positive response in patients. Hence, music distraction proves to be an effective behaviour management tool in children during dental procedures and thus, instils a positive dental attitude

Comparative evaluation of postoperative pain after single sitting pulpectomy using hand and rotary instrumentation in primary molars of children – A randomized control study

AIM: The aim of the study is to evaluate and compare postoperative pain after single sitting pulpectomy using hand and rotary instrumentation in the primary molars of children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty children of age 4–8 years were selected using standard sample size formula for the single sitting pulpectomy after fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria and all participants were equally divided into two groups. Single sitting pulpectomy procedure was carried out in both groups. In the control group, K files and in the experimental group Pro AF baby gold pediatric rotary files were used, followed by obturation with zinc oxide-eugenol cement. Evaluation of postoperative pain was done using the modified visual analog scale at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h. Furthermore, an evaluation of instrumentation time and quality of obturation was done. The patient is recalled after 7 days for the placement of stainless steel crown. RESULTS: The results showed no statistically significant difference in the postoperative pain after single sitting pulpectomy using hand and rotary instrumentation in the primary molars of children. There was no significant difference with the quality of obturation in both the study groups. However, a significant difference has been observed in the instrumentation time while using the rotary method of instrumentation as compared to hand instrumentation with independent t-test, t = 19.797 and P = 0.001. CONCLUSION: Among both the materials there was no significant difference found in postoperative pain and quality of obturation after single sitting pulpectomy in children. However, lesser instrumentation time was taken by rotary instrumentation as compared to conventional K file during single sitting pulpectomy in children